Artist InformationBiography
* 2009 Unicity Festival Showcase Artist
* 2008 Baltimore Music Conference Showcase Artist
* 2008 Unicity Performing Arts Festival Showcase Artist
* 2008 Millennium Music Conference Showcase Artist
* 2007 Millennium Music Conference Showcase Artist
* 2007 Midpoint Music Festival Showcase Artist
* 2007 OS National Band Search Showcase Artist
* 2007 Mid-Atlantic Music Conference Showcase Artist
* 14 Best of Indie Compilations
The energy is palpable tonight as the Underhills begin their set at the 2007 Millennium Music Conference. This is, in part, because they have taken much of the last year away from performing to record their new CD, "The Road From Here", and are genuinely excited to be back onstage. But it’s also very much because the crowd – both first-time listeners and longtime fans –absolutely LOVE what they are hearing. Which is the exact reason that The Underhills are fast becoming one of the most talked-about bands on the indie circuit.
At the center of the The Underhills’ sound is their instantly memorable songwriting. Written by singer Dave Rossi and guitarist/vocalist Paul Toland, they are incredibly well-crafted, immediately radio-friendly, and yet have a deeper undercurrent that invites repeated listening. In fact, those songs are so catchy that they distract from how good the lyrics are. Many of them talk about relationships, and the same things we all go through; in many, one little off-kilter word, or a displaced turn of phrase, tips the lyrics over from the ordinary to perfection. These are the same songs that Sony Animax producer J.L. Howe has called, “the best collection of honest sentiment and song-craft in an American album/band in 15 years.”
Driving the band’s music is the dual vocals of Dave Rossi and Paul Toland. They compliment each other perfectly; in Dave’s words, “I think we have found that rare occasion where ego doesn’t get in the way of our songwriting.” It works on their softer, pop songs and as well as their harder, darker rock numbers, which they pull off equally as well. It helps, of course, that they are backed by a stellar rhythm section: Mitch Cojocariu, on bass, and drummer Harry Doyle, are two of Philly’s most well-regarded musicians.
Although they don’t take themselves too seriously, you get the feeling that these guys are almost obsessive about putting out quality music. This comes across in their songwriting and their live shows, but also their recordings. The abovementioned Jameson Howe, who worked for years with legend Trevor Horn, produced their latest CD. Not surprisingly, they’ve been called on increasingly more for compilations, and have had 6 different songs from their new album featured on 14 different nationally released compilation projects. Such projects include "A Texas-Sized SXSW Compilation" (Shmusicmusic), "2006 Indie Most Wanted" (Glam Jam Records), and "Best New Bands of 2006" (Apache Rose Publishing), to name just a few. Their song "So Far Away" has been licensed for promotional use by Pro Tools, and they are getting heavy radio support in both the Philadelphia and national radio markets (radio list available upon request). Their success, however, hasn't been limited to their recordings. On top of a busy live schedule that takes them around the east coast, they've showcased at the 2007 Millennium Music Conference and were accepted to play at one of the rival SXSW festivals in Austin, TX in 2007. They will also be showcasing at the 2007 Midpoint Music Festival in Cincinatti, OH in late September.
By now, their last set is ending and most of the crowd is standing, and calling for a second encore. Another show, and another roomful of fans moved by The Underhills’ jarring harmonies, inviting lyrics, and melodies that will be singing themselves in the audience’s heads, long after they go home for the night.
Instrumentation
David Rossi -- Vocals / Guitars
Paul Toland -- Guitars / Vocals
Keith McCrary -- Bass
Harry Doyle -- Drums
Discography
The Underhills - The Road From Here (February 20th, 2007)
The Underhills - Dawn (2003)
The Underhills - Pillars Of Insecurity (2000)
Compilation Projects:
A Texas Sized Compilation (March 2007 / Shmusicmusic - for the 2007 SXSW)
The Exile Collection (August 2006 / The Other Place Studios)
20th Anniversary Fitger's Brewhouse Triathalon Compilation CD (August 2006)
Apache Rose Publishing's "Best New Bands of 2006" Compilation (September 2006 / APR)
Drophits "Best of Rock, 2006" (August 2006 / Drophit.net)
Glam Jam's "Indie Most Wanted, 2006" (December 2006)
Glam Jam's "Mixed Tape Masters" (February 2007)
The Exile Re-Collection (May 2007)
Moozikoo Radio's "Best of Pop / AOR" (November 2006)
Oasis Rock-n-Roots Sampler Compilation (December 2006)
Colors (2003 / Producer-Chris Moon)
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/underhillsmusic |
| Our myspace page |
| The Underhills Homepage |